The Indianapolis journal., 1887-07-04
THE MASTERS OF MELODY
Arrival of Several Noted Musicians to
Attend the National Convention.
Madame Brinkerhof Expresses Dislike for
Wagnerian Music-Rev. McNutt's Sermon
on 1.-THE Uses and Abuses Of Music.

OIOeTS are
to give the national convention the value of their
thought, experience and talent have TO a con-
siderable number registered al the different
hotels 1t is expected that this will be of
the most successful conventions the Association
OF Music Teachers has ever held. and, so far az
attendance can contribute to that end. the
rivals already noted show that tEs fifteen hun
dred or two thousand expected will be here.
Many are to come in on the morning trains, and
the hotels have provided for them, the Denison
having reserved thirty rooms on orders, the
Bates like number and the Grand nearly as
many.
Five years ago the convention was held in
Chicago. Since that time it has not been west
Of the Alleghenies. The invitation from Indian
apolis came to the teachers when assembled in
Boston, last year, with such an expression of
cordiality that the acceptance was heartily un-
animous, and the visitors, who were here over
Sunday, found the welcome. they say, of gen.
erous character. Some of the singers and in
strumen talists have frequently appeared before
Indianapolis audiences and come to renew many
warm friendships while filing professional en-
gagements.
But among the mora interesting musical
characters from whom the public will hear is
Madame Clara Brinkerhoff. This lady is not
the festival programme, but her intense
enthusiasm for music, supported by wide
perience and thorough study of the art, will
give 20 what she may say in the convention
value that such ability hers alone can COM
mand One of the Madame's studies was de-
tailed at meeting of the Sorosis some years
ago, when she spoke on THE Drama and the
Opera" She gave precedence the latter as
the higher art. Indeed. she thinks music should
be the mastering profession. "Law, medicine
mwA NhaAl u 1.x,ns+ H-l~
said last evening 'but music is far-reachlng 1t
deals with the SOUL We hear ir and it
raptures u.s." Holding this view of the art
IL is no wonder that she unsparingly denounces
eharlatanism. With her, music is more than an
accom- plshment, and in raising the art above
that plane she says the teachers conventions
doing much. She has firm belief in the capa-
bilities of American composers There conven-
tions" she continued, ''have brought to notice
many commendabe words by Americans 1t is
at first surprising to know that in America such
great musical talent had lain so long dormant
1t only needed the opportunity, and these
ventions gave 1t, but they cannot do all. The
musical directors and managers have plenty of
good material at Eand, and it is a wonder they
do not it."
Madame Brinkerhoff is not pleased with the
pretensions of the Wagnerites. Their musical
delight she regards belonging to coarser
nature. She places Wagnerian operas under the
head Of melodramas. which appeal to the sen.
sual and vulgar emotions To her, Wagne-'s
compositions are not the ideal Of music. But
the Madame Is inclined to question the excel
lence of anything that gives precedence
to the orchestra. 1T is in Italian opera that the
singer is the chief parsonage" she says, while
on the German stage to the instrumen taist the
artist is subordinared. German opera only
requires posing a mechanical action while in
italian opera the artist Is the soul of the per-
formance. When the orchestra claims the
artistic excellence and importance it does in
Wagnerian music, it is putting the cart before
the horse"
With the Madame is one of her pupils, Miss
Ellie Long, Canadian. Nine months ago Miss
Longs voice was pure soprano. 1t has become
a contralto of remarkable force and EXPRESSION.
1t has fullness that would charm the most
critical audience. She designs making her tour
in the United States, and it is possible an In
dianapols audience will have the pleasure of
hearing her in song before this festival closes
Among the arrivals yesterday Herr Won
der Stucken. who is TO direct the orchestra. In
his European concerts he won enviable posi-
ton among musical leaders His methods
termed the best and while he does not sac
ri6ce the popular TO classical music is
freighted with q desire to have the public bow to
his dicta, he yet clings to purest requisites of
his art His orchestra is said to be one of the
most efficient either in this country or abroad.
The arrivals thus far are. at the New Denison
Hotel: Miss Neaie Stevens, Herr Won der
Stucken and several of his orchestra, Madame
Rive-King, Miss Fannie Bloomfield, Arthur
Mses, Miss Emma Thurston, Miss S. c. Very.
Franz Arens, Mr.. Dulcan. F. j. Gildermeister,
L. Gottschalk. of New York; j. A. But
terfeld. Norwich Conn; William FL. Davis,
p.nEe. Hss5s. Of Hss w %a1e W.
Z. B. Matthews, of Chicago; N Coe Stewart,
Cleveland; G. NJ. Cole, Richmond; Geo. o. Par
ker. Syracuse N Y; Miss Ella HIT. Vincennes
At the Bates Miss Strong. Miss Clapper,
w. Courtney. Madame Clara Brinkerhoff, Miss
Ellie Long, of New York; III. G. McDougall,
Professor Miller, Providence, r. L. J. W.
Andrews. Newport, r. l.; Arthur Foote, Boston,
Mass Many more will reach the city the
early morning trains.